Soldiers suffer for our freedom

This Memorial Day weekend, you might drive down a suburban street in Nashville and see an elderly man, dressed in everyday clothes; he's a veteran who risked his life for his country. In World War II, he served in North Africa and Italy. A private first class, he was riding with other Army soldiers in a truck one day when an IED exploded under the vehicle. It turned over on top of the private, paralyzing him below the waist.

Eventually, feeling began to return to his legs and overtime he was able to walk normally. To this day, he refuses to accept a Purple Heart for the injury he sustained in defending his country. I know all this because, yes, I'm the private's daughter. When he dies, I'll receive his medals and his testament from The Gideons International, which he carried into battle with him.

When you go out on the lake this weekend, or grill hamburgers, would you stop for just a moment and think about the veteran who suffered to keep you free?

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Soldiers suffer for our freedom

This Memorial Day weekend, you might drive down a suburban street in Nashville and see an elderly man, dressed in everyday clothes; he's a veteran who risked his life for his country. In World War II,